Apple Must Fulfill 10 Resolutions to Achieve a Successful 2013

NEWS ANALYSIS: There is plenty of uncertainty in Apple’s prospects for the next 12 months. The company has to focus on a number of issues if it wants 2013 to be anywhere near as successful as 2012.

Apple had a hugely successful 2012. The company watched its iPhone and iPad sales soar, and its Macs gained more ground on Windows PCs than they had in previous years.

Meanwhile, Apple’s revenue and profits soared, its stock price hit an all-time high, and it became the world’s most valuable company. As if that wasn’t enough, Apple won a major ruling in its case against Samsung, potentially netting the company over $1 billion in damages.

But that was last year. As history has proven time and again, a company’s success in the previous year doesn’t necessarily determine future success. That Apple was successful in 2012 doesn’t mean that 2013 will be as good to the iPhone maker. Only through a dedication to quality, a laser focus on product innovation, acknowledgement of its leadership position and a true understanding of corporate responsibility will Apple be as successful.

That’s why Apple must make several New Year’s resolutions and stick with them this year. If it adheres to the following resolutions, Apple should have an extremely successful 2013.

Read on to learn more:

1. Continue pressuring Foxconn

Apple did a great thing in early 2012 by bringing in the Fair Labor Association to make sure that its production partner, Foxconn, was adhering to all labor regulations. But in 2013, Apple needs to step up those efforts. Foxconn is still not in total compliance, though it’s making progress. Meanwhile Apple has been relatively tight-lipped on the matter. Apple needs to be more vocal about its support for fair labor.  That will go a long way in making the company look good to customers.

2. Focus more on the enterprise

In 2012, the enterprise became a key growth opportunity for Apple. So, in 2013, the company should focus more heavily on corporate customers. Apple should unleash its sales force on the enterprise and bundle into its products more corporate-friendly features. The proper combination of high-quality hardware, reliable software and security is what Apple needs to appeal more to enterprise customers.

3. Launch an Updated Mac Pro

The Mac Pro has been on store shelves for the last two years without a single modification. Many of Apple’s pro users are persistently complaining about that. In 2013, Apple must update the Mac Pro and prove to its core customers that the wait was worth it.

4. Keep rolling out the Retina display

It was nice to see Apple offer the Retina display on the iPad and MacBook Pro in 2012. But Apple can’t b stops there. This year Apple has to build the Retina display into more Apple products, including its line of monitors, all MacBook Pros and any other devices it might have up its sleeve. The Retina display is a feature all customers want.